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I’m always looking for paper inspiration and goodies, right? And in my recent quest I found this yummy vintage skirt. The vendor is calling the print, “Paper Roses”, which is how I found it. Serendipity! It’s so fun to find surprises that are as cute as this one - and as affordable 
“Paper Roses” Vintage Skirt from kellyemeraldhart at Etsy
Of course once I found her shop I had to look around. She’s got really good prices, vintage skirts and dresses I’m definitely going to check out, and some goodies that I thought were both attractive and really interesting. Take a look at this artwork:
Polaroid into Prints - from kellyemeraldhart at Etsy
She’s taken her own polaroids - and turned them into larger prints. You can buy a pack (as in this listing) or get each one separately for only $2.00! I love the water-color-ish look of them - and the uniqueness - and of course the price!
Original artwork - and vintage pretties - this is a great shop you definitely want to visit
P.S. AND she’s having a sale!
So I’m back on track, yes. I’ve found a SUPER do-it-yourself project that is (1) recycled, (2) easy to do, (3) goodlooking, and (4) will fit anywhere you need art!
And it’s practically FREE.
I found this on a fun blog, Homemade Mamas Blog and they not only invented the project, they share how they did it! I’ll bet a nickel you are going to love this as much as I do:
Recycled Wall Art invented by Homemade Mamas (dot net)
Just to give you a hint: this is what the project starts with:
Recycled paper towel and toilet paper cardboard tubes
Now, you see what I mean? This really handsome, sculptural wall art - is made entirely with recycled paper tubes you just throw away anyway! Well, and a little paint, and some paper clips (you can reuse those, too).
This is an idea I am definitely going to steal!
PS I added this to my “bridal and weddingj” category, because think how you could adapt this for some beautiful wedding decorations. Make floral wall art in your wedding colors. Paint the tube(lets) and scatter them on your reception tables. Spell out the names of the bride and groom! I know you can think of more ideas. And you can make them at the bridal shower!
So this post is about doors. Not paper, this time. I’ll think of some way or other to incorporate paper - later (yes I thought of shoji screens already, thank you.)
This is an inspiration piece. Something caught my attention the other day and I started looking up pics of doors - with color. Amazing some of the pretties that are out there!
Case in point:
I found this wonderful door on Flickr - it’s the work of Jason Williamson. The photo I mean, not the door. You notice it’s not a fancy-schmancy door - this is not rich folks territory. But they believe in color.
And:
A yellow door - with character. The article is about Vanishing South Georgia over on Wordpress - please do follow the link to read more.
Once again - not rich folks. But real people who added something special to their home.
And one more:
Yes, that is definitely a Chartreuse Door. And it’s a little fancier, yes. And you really ought to go peek at her blog - Curlin Reed Sullivan - she is absolutely celebrating chartreuse, and her blog is much fun to read!
The point of all this is - one, decorate your door. Add some paint. It doesn’t cost much and it’s easy to change. But more than “decorate your door” is the idea that - well, adding color is good, adding some special personal touch is good, and it DOESN’T HAVE TO COST A LOT OF MONEY.
All it costs is - taking a little time, and caring to make life just a little more special. And just like the commercials say - that’s priceless.
Please take a look at these pics. And tell me if you agree with me - I bet you will - that they are beautiful, and refreshing, and soul-calming.
Beautiful rooms in Filicudi Italy - as seen in style-files.com.
It makes me feel good just to look at the pics. And it inspires me. Yes, these rooms are in an exotic (to me) island halfway around the world. But the ideas here are absolutely universal.
USE LESS STUFF. Clear out the clutter. Have a wonderful color. Let the light in.
Let me be sure to give credit where it’s due - I found these wonderful pictures, and more you will love, over at style-files.com. Totally inspirational!
This is completely do it yourself. GET RID OF SOME STUFF. Let the bones of the room show. Add some light. Take away some of the crap.
Do I seem to be stuck on that idea? Well, yeah, I am. Use less - and love what you have, MORE.
PS You may have noticed that I included this post in the category “Going Green”, and I haven’t mentioned recycling once (till now). But I have mentioned “using less” - and that is a very important green idea!
No, really, I’m not obsessed with cardboard. But once I started thinking about cardboard, and how useful it is, and how it’s all over the place, and we usually just throw it away - I couldn’t resist finding more good examples of what we can do with it. Easy, Inexpensive, and Fun Home Decor Idea No. 2 (or 3, or whatever):
Corrugated Cardboard Wall Decor created by Jonathan Fong
That wall looks great! Neutral, strong, geometric, dramatic - take your pick of descriptives. We could all use some version of this! The article even tells how to do it - though I imagine there are as many ways to do it (easily!) as your imagination can come up with patterns.
And if you mess up part of the design, you just cut new cardboard. If your baby scribbles on the wall, you can replace that section (or celebrate her creativity!) If your cat shreds the bottom, so what? Tear up another cardboard box. And reuse the pieces
I’m one of those people who makes stuff. I sew, I do crafts, I make things for the house, etc etc. And I’m fairly knowledgeable about fabric. Felt is a fabric that used to be made out of, well, smushed up wool leftovers. It’s always offered great vivid colors, but it ‘pills’ and frays and it’s not sturdy, so oh well.
But! I have been re-educated here. Not only have I found some great colors in oh-so-useful felt, but it is made ENTIRELY from recycled stuff - even better, from recycled bottles! They’ve made a soft fabric - from bottles. And it’s not expensive!
The colors are clear and vivid - and from what the vendor writes, the fabric does NOT fray or fall apart in the wash. (Old-style felt, forget it, you wouldn’t dare toss it in the washer). And she has it in many colors! And she even has it in this camoflauge pattern!
 Camouflage felt fabric!
Now honestly, that wouldn’t be my personal choice - but lots of people would love it (imagine a pillow made with this felt, sitting on your couch in the den).
I will happily promote this vendor - K and C Supplies on Etsy. She is finding / sourcing / selling a product that is not only entirely recycled, but it’s pretty and soft and nice!
Talk about the best of all possible products. Go buy some!
I saw the most amazing creation over at Ecofriend.org. This building is a teahouse, very much in the tradition of a handcrafted Japanese structure - but this one is made entirely of recycled paper.
Now this time I’m not suggesting we should go build our house out of recycled paper - at least, not without an engineer’s knowledge of materials and how to adapt them to building techniques. But I do suggest that we could all be inspired by this structure.
One, we can learn - or remember, because we already know it - the all-important concepts of reuse, rethink, recycle… and “rethink” is a real important part of that trio. Take a look at some of the stuff you’re about to discard. Some of it can have a new life. Some of it can have a very COOL new life.
And if a building out of recycled paper isn’t in your immediate future - what about an ottoman or footstool, built with “bricks” you made yourself of paper? Or… well, you’ll think of things. Unleash your Mad Creative Scientist and make something for yourself!
Now this combines several of my passions - paper (natch), recycling and even more important RE-USING… also art, making your home comfortable and attractive, DIY-ness…. lots of good stuff.
This article from Sunset.com shows an example of re-using old CD jewel cases as “frames” for your art:
 .
Used in multiples like this, they make a great graphic statement - and even more special is that you can use a common theme - pics of your friends? landscapes? alien bugs? you name it! - or, maybe a similar color - all sorts of images in blue, for example. Truly it can be tailored to exactly what you like, or what you want to say.
And the graphics / pics you insert in the cases can be recycled, too. Gorgeous flower pics taken from old magazines? old pattern images?
How about cutouts from your kids’ drawings? Talk about a special, personal, and way fun decoration for your kitchen or alcove? I love that idea!
Okay, it’s not recycled paper - you know I like to recycle my fave medium - but it’s definitely recycled, and it is definitely art. Take a look, this is gorgeous!
This gorgeous display - wall art - cascade - was created by Michelle Brand via Green Design Girl.
I’m not suggesting you should copy her - but be inspired by her? Definitely. Can’t you see this in front of a window? or adapted to become, oh, the ‘door’ of a cabinet? (come on, work with me here). There will be ways we can take this inspiration and use it. If nothing else, hang it in front of a window.
(Don’t buy all those bottles though. Enlist everybody to save them for you.)
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